The European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP) is a document approved by the Informal Council of Ministers of Spatial Planning of

European Commission The European Commission (EC) is the executive of the European Union (EU). It operates as a cabinet government, with 27 members of the Commission (informally known as "Commissioners") headed by a President. It includes an administrative body ...

Potsdam Potsdam () is the capital and, with around 183,000 inhabitants, largest city of the German state of Brandenburg. It is part of the Berlin/Brandenburg Metropolitan Region. Potsdam sits on the River Havel, a tributary of the Elbe, downstream of ...

in 1999. It is a legally non-binding document forming a policy framework with 60 policy options for all tiers of

administration Administration may refer to: Management of organizations * Management, the act of directing people towards accomplishing a goal ** Administrative Assistant, traditionally known as a Secretary, or also known as an administrative officer, admini ...

with a planning responsibility. The

strategic Strategy (from Greek στρατηγία ''stratēgia'', "art of troop leader; office of general, command, generalship") is a general plan to achieve one or more long-term or overall goals under conditions of uncertainty. In the sense of the "art ...

aim is to achieve a balanced and

sustainable Specific definitions of sustainability are difficult to agree on and have varied in the literature and over time. The concept of sustainability can be used to guide decisions at the global, national, and individual levels (e.g. sustainable livi ...

spatial development Spatial planning mediates between the respective claims on space of the state, market, and community. In so doing, three different mechanisms of involving stakeholders, integrating sectoral policies and promoting development projects mark the th ...

strategy.

Key concepts

With the aim to provide an integrated, multi-sectoral and indicative

strategy Strategy (from Greek στρατηγία ''stratēgia'', "art of troop leader; office of general, command, generalship") is a general plan to achieve one or more long-term or overall goals under conditions of uncertainty. In the sense of the " ...

for the

, the key ideas of ESDP are: * an integrated approach - Not just to look at specific sectors of development activity (e.g. environment, economic development, or transport), but to recognise that they all affect each other; * spatial development - a much wider view of the development, vital for integrative approach; * strategic aspects - interlinked actions to achieve balanced and sustainable territorial development; * indicative views - the responsibility lies with the developed regions and territories to implement the development principals. * Inclusive growth - regional approach to address disparities.

Spatial policy guidelines

# Development of a

polycentric Polycentric is an English adjective, meaning "having more than one center," derived from the Greek words ''polús'' ("many") and ''kentrikós'' ("center"). Polycentricism (or polycentricity) is the abstract noun formed from polycentric. They may r ...

and balanced urban system, and strengthening of the partnership between urban and rural areas, so as to create a new urban-rural relationship. # Promotion of integrated transport and communication concepts, which support the polycentric development of the EU territory, so that there is gradual progress towards parity of access to infrastructure and knowledge. # Wise management of the natural and cultural heritage, which will help conserve regional identities and cultural diversity in the face of globalisation.

External links

ESDP Report

, May 1999 Urban planning by region Urban economics Regional science European Commission projects Geography of the European Union

Key concepts

Spatial policy guidelines

See also

Further reading

External links